President Donald Trump, in a series of tweets early Friday, said that his language about a deal involving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was “tough,” but
“this was not the language used,” referencing a vulgarity he allegedly used in rejecting the proposal on Thursday.
Trump also called the DACA deal “a big step backwards,” and called for a “merit-based system” of immigration.
The tweets came a day after a contentious meeting between the president and several congressional members.
A person familiar with the meeting told CNN that Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham brought a plan to Trump that involved cutting the visa lottery in half and while the rest would go to underrepresented countries in Africa and Temporary Protective Status nations, including Haiti. The person said the language was salty on both sides, CNN reported.
One person briefed on the meeting said when Durbin brought up the subject of Haiti, Trump questioned it in vulgar terms and added that the U.S. should get more people from countries like Norway.
Friday, Trump took to Twitter, saying that the “so-called bipartisan DACA deal” was “a big step backwards.”
“Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly,” Trump tweeted. “I want a merit-based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs.”
Trump later tweeted that while his language was tough, “This was not the language used.”
“What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made,” Trump tweeted.
The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
....countries which are doing badly. I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
....Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten “shutdown,” but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
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